I just graduated and I am a new nurse in L&D. I am currently expecting my first baby in March. My husband and I started having a conversation last night and it came up about students being in the delivery room. He is a nurse is well and had a very hard time being able to witness a delivery during his OB rotation. I feel a little awkward because I am delivering at the hospital I work at which is where I did my OB rotation as well. I was president of the Student Nurse Association at my college so I know several of the juniors and seniors this year. They are scheduled to be in OB when I am due.. I would have no qualms about students in my room but these are students who I have a friendship/relationship with and I am thinking I do not want them to be in there....I will most likely see them again in and around the hospital. My husband kept telling me that I am overthinking this because they are only in there to learn.
How does everyone feel about students in the room observing?
While my son was being born, I didn't care who was in there, I was so focused on getting him OUT. But next time around I may feel differently. It's not up to anyone but you to decide. Your body, your birth, your choice. And like others have said...whatever you decide, do not apologize nor feel bad about it. Best wishes!! :)
Think of it this way, if you in your role as a Nurse had a patient who said I know that this is a teaching hospital and everyone has to learn but I am not comfortable with having students in the room when I am in labour would you object or question her?
No I'm sure you'd reassure her that her feelings were important and valid and you as her Nurse would work to ensure that she was as comfortable and ensure that there weren't any students in the room.
So why should you as a patient get any less consideration?
It's your body, and as a patient you are there to have a safe healthy birth not to provide a teaching experience.................
I have been unlucky enough to need several investigations recently including several gyne ones, I didn't mind students observing these but refused point blank to allow any students in when I has a lumbar puncture. . . odd yes I think it was because I had experienced the gyne ones before and knew what was going to happen and how I would react, but the LP was my first and hopefully last
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
It is a deep personal question that only you can answer. Personally they could have march the third army through my room and I wouldn't have cared. That being said it is between you and your hubby. I don't think I would let people I knew in the room and I would not consider it until my second delivery. The first one is rather special......
I have 3 kids. The first two were born with a bunch of people in the room. For the second it was neccessary because of the situation we were facing. None were students. However, with my third, there was only my dr and two nurses. AND I NOTICED. Why? Because it was so quiet and peaceful.
So no, I would not want people I know in there with me. I would not even want my own mother in there. But that's just me. As a student, I would opt out of being in the room if it was someone I knew.
I agree. For my first delivery, as I was pushing the nurse asked "do you mind if a medical student watches" Between contractions I yelled whatever and in come 3 med students, on top of the doc,2 nurses, my hubby, my mom who also invited my dad in! With my second delivery it was just me, my hubby and our son. Very quiet and peaceful and really nice. Don't feel like it is your responsibility to give them an experience.
I am also expecting my first baby in March and I am adamant about having no students in my room - both docs and nurses. I want as few medical personnel there as possible. I am very nervous about this request because during my OB clinical one of the moms didn't want students to come in and my clinical instructors pressured her into letting us in. I felt awful for the patient and extremely uncomfortable as my clinical instructor corralled a few of us into the room to watch this laboring woman who did not want us there.
This is going to be a very private and special event in my family's life and only key people need to be there. Perhaps with my second child I won't care who is in the room.
Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP
4 Articles; 5,259 Posts
While my son was being born, I didn't care who was in there, I was so focused on getting him OUT. But next time around I may feel differently. It's not up to anyone but you to decide. Your body, your birth, your choice. And like others have said...whatever you decide, do not apologize nor feel bad about it. Best wishes!! :)